Our vacation almost didn’t happen.
We had just arrived in Key Largo, first night, bags barely unpacked, and I was in terrible pain. My cervical disc issues had flared up bad, and I mean bad. I was vomiting, couldn’t keep anything down, sweating, shaking. There was a little light red in the vomit, which the doctors later said was likely from a small burst capillary, nothing serious, but in the moment it was scary. I was miserable and genuinely afraid I was going to ruin the whole trip for Christine and me.
I knew from experience that the only thing that was going to pull me out of it was prednisone. That’s not something you can grab off a shelf, so we had no choice but to find an ER.
That ER was Baptist Mariners Hospital in Key Largo, and I have to tell you, it may have been one of the best hospital experiences of my life.
This is a smaller community hospital, not a massive NYC megaplex, and you feel that difference the moment you walk in. The front desk staff were welcoming and efficient. The nurses were kind, attentive, and actually listened. When the doctor came in, he treated me like someone who knows his own body, because I do. I told him what I needed and why, and he heard me.
They offered me additional options, pain shots and a muscle relaxer, and I initially said yes. Then I thought about it and changed my mind. I was on vacation and didn’t want to take any chances with how my body might react to something new. You know what they did? They said okay and moved on. No pushback, no attitude, no making me feel like I was being difficult. That kind of respect goes a long way.
We were in and out in under an hour and a half. Back at the hotel with prednisone and Tylenol in my system, and by the next morning I was functional enough to actually enjoy the rest of the trip.
If you ever find yourself needing urgent care in the Keys, do not hesitate to go to Baptist Mariners. I wish more hospitals operated the way they do. New York, take notes.
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